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Chapter 32: Mamoru's Idea

I take one last look over the problems on the exam, and decide that I'm finished.  Fortunately, this was the last of the recent round of exams, what a relief.  After we hand in our tests, I look over at Mishima and smile, which she returns.

"How did the exam go for you, Mishima?"

"I thought it went pretty well.  I'm especially happy since that was the last one for a while."

I shake my head yes and say, "Yeah, I'm glad about that, too."

I see movement out of the corner of my eye, and notice that Mamoru has walked over to my desk, with Asahina following.

"Well, now that that terror is over, let's celebrate!"

"What were you thinking of doing, Mamoru?"

"Laser tag!"

"Laser tag?" The three of us say in unison.

"Yeah, I can't remember the last time we did it, it was even before Mishima came."

I try to remember, and I realize that he's right.

"Oh, come on, Torigai!"

"What's the matter, Hiroko, I'll protect you," he says, winking at Asahina.

Asahina shakes her head in resignation and says, "Fine, fine, I'll go."

He smiles at her and says, "I knew you'd agree."

Asahina sticks out her tongue at Mamoru, but then smiles.

I look at Mishima and say, "Mishima, do you want to go along with Mamoru and Asahina?"

She says, "Hmm, well, I've never done anything like that before, but I think it would be fun."

"Ok, Mamoru, we're in, too."

"Great, we'll go after the activity period is over."

We all agree and then head off to the cafeteria together for lunch.

I meet up with Mishima after club, and notice that she looks excited.

"Hello, Mishima.  Did you have a nice time in club?"

"Yep, I was thinking about our plans for the afternoon, and I think it will be fun to do this with you, Hiroko, and Torigai-kun."

I smile and respond, "I'm sure that it will be."

Mamoru and Asahina meet us at the gate soon after we arrive.

"Is everyone ready to go?" Mamoru asks.

We all say yes, and start to make our way there.

When we arrive, there is a line, so, as we wait, we decide to play video games that are located in an arcade in the same place. As usual, Mamoru challenges me, although I'm hesitant to accept since I've never been that great at the video game he likes, and I don't want to look bad in front of Mishima.

"C'mon Ayato, you never wouldn't play before."

Reluctantly, I follow him, with Asahina and Mishima walking behind me.

"Ok, Ayato, let's go!"

I internally groan as I put in my money and take a quick glance at Mishima, who seems interested in what's going on, just great.

Not surprisingly, it is soon apparent that Mamoru is easily beating me, how embarrassing.

"Go, Torigai!" Asahina shouts as she raises a fisted hand.

Mamoru smirks as he says, "Not going too well, eh, Ayato?"

I ignore him and, instead, glance quickly at Mishima. 

She notices me looking and smiles and pats me on the back as she says, "Maybe you'll win the next round, Kamina-kun."

Blushing, I say, "Uh, yeah, maybe."

Unfortunately, I lose every round to Mamoru, and am glad when it is finally our turn to play laser tag.

As we walk over, Asahina latches onto Mamoru's arm and says, "Wow, that was great, Torigai!"

He smiles at her and says, "Che, what else were you expecting?"

Mishima encircles her arms around mine and says, "Don't worry, Kamina-kun, I'm sure that things will go better in the laser tag game, I can't wait!"

I smile and say, "You're probably right, Mishima."

It turns out that Mamoru has arranged so that he and Asahina are on the blue team, while Mishima and I are on the green team.

Mamoru smirks as he says, "Thought it would be more fun that way."

I shrug and enter the prep area with everyone else.  Since she's never done it before, I demonstrate for Mishima how to put on the gear, and, after we finish, the four of us head for the room.

As instructed, Mishima and I and Mamoru and Asahina go to our respected home bases.  I notice there's a green flag there, hmm, I guess there's a 'capture-the-flag' component to the game. I look over at Mishima, who is moving around excitedly and looking at the laser gun.

"Mishima, are you ready?"

She salutes me and says, "You bet, Kamina-kun!"

I can't help but laugh, and respond, "Ok, Mishima."

She walks over to me, and, surprisingly, whispers in my ear, "I know, Kamina-kun, let's capture the blue flag!"

I turn my face to look at her and say, "Sure, though I'd also like to find Mamoru."

She giggles and says, "Ok, it's a plan!"

A buzzer rings, indicating that the game has begun, and Mishima, I, and the other members of the green team head out into the maze.  Mishima follows behind me, but doesn't seem the least bit nervous as she goes. Soon afterwards, I spot a person on the blue team. I aim and fire, and my shot hits him.  I can hear the person swear, and smile to myself.  Now, if that were only Mamoru. I look around, but don't see Mishima near me anymore.  Where did she go?  I look more carefully, and see her crouched down at an obstacle.  She waves me over and I crouch down beside her.

"Mishima?"

"Shh!  I see Hiroko!"

I peer up and see Asahina wandering, looking somewhat confused.  Maybe she'd thought Mamoru was with her.

To my surprise, Mishima suddenly jumps up and shoots at Hiroko, who is caught off guard and hit.  She looks around to see where the shot came from and sees Mishima.

"Reika!"

Mishima puts her laser gun at her side and says, "I'm sorry, Hiroko, I couldn't help it."

I stand up and notice the distance between the two of them, and am impressed.  "Wow, Mishima, you're a great shot!"

She pretends to blow off the end of the barrel and says, "Of course, Kamina-kun!"

The three of us then start laughing. 

Asahina walks over to where we are with her gun at her side.

"What happened to Mamoru, Asahina?"

She pouts as she says, "That's what I'd like to know.  I remember someone promising he would protect me, and look what happened!"

"Do you want to join with us, Hiroko?"

"No, it's ok, I'm sure he's around here somewhere.  I'll see you two later!"

"Ok, Hiroko.  Have fun!"

"Bye, Asahina."

The game continues for a while, and we haven't found either the blue team's base or Mamoru.  I realize the time's almost up, and look at Mishima. 

She says, "Let's run around and try to find the flag, Kamina-kun!"

"Sure, Mishima."

Almost running into multiple people and expertly avoiding shots, Mishima and I finally see the base, and see Mamoru there, guarding the flag.

We duck behind an obstacle, glad that Mamoru hadn't noticed us.

I whisper to Mishima, "Mishima, you head for the flag, and I'll cover you."

She shakes her head. We glance at each other and nod.  With that, we jump up and Mishima runs for the flag while I head towards Mamoru.

Surprised, Mamoru first looks at Mishima, but I shout, "Hey, Mamoru, your opponent's here!"

He turns and sees me and says, "Ayato, let's see if you have better luck at this game!"

I smirk and we both shoot while Mishima grabs the flag and runs back to the obstacle we were at before.

I look to see if I'd been hit, and smile when I realize Mamoru missed.  I look over at Mamoru and notice his look of shock at the flashing light indicating he was hit.

"I guess so, Mamoru!" I say as I walk back to where Mishima is waiting. Together, laughing, we run back to our base with the flag, and as we place it in its stand, the buzzer goes off to indicate that the game is over.

Mishima gives me a high five as we head back to the prep room. As we enter, we hear Asahina shouting.

"Torigai!  Where were you that whole time!  I must have gotten hit 20 times!"

Looking mad, Mamoru remains silent, making Asahina even angrier.

They both look up when they realize we've entered.

"Good game, Mamoru," I say as I take off my gear. 

Mamoru gives me an angry look but says nothing.

As we exit, Mishima encircles her arms around my left arm and says, "That was great, Kamina-kun!"

I look her and smile and say, "Yep, great job getting the flag, Mishima."

She then lifts herself on her toes and whispers into my ear, "You really got him, Kamina-kun!"

I chuckle but say nothing. 

Next Chapter

A Dinner